News

The Basics:

FC Tampa Bay vs. University of Tampa 

Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. (Gates open at 6:30 p.m.)

Pepin Stadium at University of Tampa

All proceeds will go directly to the Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Tampa.

Prices: Kids 5-years-old & under - Free, Kids 6-years-old & up - $5, Adults - $10, Senior Citizens - $5; UT Students w/ ID - Free 

What’s at Stake:

FC Tampa Bay kicks off its preseason like they did last year against the University of Tampa on Saturday March 5th at 7:30 p.m. 

Last preseason against UT, FC Tampa Bay had many of the trialists on the team face off against the Spartans, and walked away with a 2-2 draw. Returning for a second run at UT is Pascal Millien and Chad Burt, who both played at the University of Tampa and former players of the UT Men’s Soccer Team.

Team Notes: 

The team has been working vigorously out at Shimberg Fields with Head Coach Ricky Hill and Assistant Coach David Hayes during the first week of training. The main focus of the coaching staff this week has been to work as a team on possession, pressure, defending and finishing. The team will consist of a roster of 12 signed players and 10 trialists when they take on the Spartans. 

Individual Notes: 

Jeremy Christie and Yendry Diaz will not be playing Saturday due to injuries. Christie will be sitting out for the next few months recovering from recent hip surgery. Diaz is rehabilitating and training after undergoing surgery in the offseason on his groin and is expected to be fully fit at the beginning of regular season.

In last year’s preseason opener against UT, forward Lister Warren of the Spartans scored the tying goal against FC Tampa Bay. This time the roles have reversed and Warren will be battling against his former team. Warren is now a trialist for FC Tampa Bay and hopes to prove during the match against UT why his name should be added to the 2011 FC Tampa Bay roster. 

Newly signed midfielder Tony McManus will not be playing with Tampa Bay on Saturday but will be eligible to play in next Saturday’s match against BK Hacken in South Florida.

Projected Roster:

*Unsigned free agent.